Water-wheel



(No Model.)

F. M. BOOKWALTER.

WATER WHEEL.

N0. 447,294. Patented Mar. 3, 1891.

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l NITnD-` STATES FRANCIS M. BOOKVALTER, OF SPRINGFIELD, OI-IIO.

WATER-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 447,294, dated March 3, 21.891.` Application filed .Tuly 5, 1890. Serial No. 357,790. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. BooKwAL- TER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vater-Vheels, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. y

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in water-wheels, having special reference to the class or kind known as turbine wheels.

My improvements have reference to the provision of such an organization of such a wheel that it shall be practicable to obtain a large percent. of driving power from a wheel of moderate diameter; and to this end the invention consists, essentially, in combining with such awh eel side plateslocated well apart,

-and a series of gates between such plates with double or duplex adjusting mechanism acting upon and connected with both ends of each gate to render the manipulation of such wide gates practicable, and to prevent such gates from twisting or breaking and from binding or sticking at either end, all of which will hereinafter more fully appear, and be set forth in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and on which like reference-lettersindicate correspondingparts, Figure I represents a vertical sectional view of a water receiving case, the dischargeflumes, and my improvements applied thereto; and Fig` 2 a vertical sectional view at right angles to the shaft of the wheel on the line 0c c of Fig. l.

The letter A designates a casing, preferably of cylindrical contour, and of metal, havingA at a convenient part a water-inlet opening B, communicating with a water-head or source of supply by which the casing is iilled with water. Located centrally with respect to this casing are discliarge-iiumes C, also preferably made of metal, and extending a sufficient distance within the casing, as shown at D, to constitute a support for the side plates ofthe wheel. These flumes pass downward and away from the casing to carry off the spent water. Awheel-shaftEis mounted in bearings formed in these fiumes and provient type,

vided with suitable packing-boxes F to prevent leakage. This shaft carries a belt-wheel G, and preferably has a bearing in a pillowblock H, suitably supported. On this shaft is mounted a turbine wheel of any convensay that shown at I in the drawings, which is of the lateral-discharge type. The wheel is intended to be of small diameter compared to the power to be developed, while it is extended across the breastto afford maximum acting surface. To use a wheel thus proportioned and to secure practical advantages -in the way of development of high speed and proportionate power, it is essential that the case through or between which the water is fed to the wheel shall be of extreme width. This, however, involves the location of the plates .I at a wide distance apart, and renders the manipulation of the gate and the certainty of its always freely acting, and never binding at either end, difficult to secure 'in practice. I have, therefore, in carrying out this invention, and in order to obtain the practical advantages of the broad-breasted circumferentially small highspeeded wheel, combined with the gates of commensurate width double or duplex holding or adjusting mechanism connected with both ends of such gates. In this way the tendency of the broad breast of water to twist the gate on its pivots to cause it to bind against the side plates, ttc., is overcome.

Referring to one type of double or duplex adjusting mechanism, the letter K designates the transverse shaft mounted in suitable bearings, having stuffing-boxes in the casing A, and carrying pinions L, which mesh With the rings M, having exterior cog-teeth and snpported upon anti-friction rollers O, carried by the studs P, projecting from the said side plates .I This shaft is further mounted in projections Q, extending from the side plates VJ, Arms R are attached to or made a part of the gate near their ends, and are connected by links S with the studs T, carried by the rings M.l By this double or duplex arrangement the gates are held against the water at both ends, are under positive control at both ends, and are thereby maintained in shape against binding and prevented from breaking, one part or branch of the mechanism being connected with the gates at one end thereof and the other branch or part connected with them at their other end. I prefer to pivotally mount every alternate gate, suggested in Fig. 2, but do not Wish to be confined to this, since each gate may be pivoted; nor do I confine myself to the use of curved or compound curved gates, though I prefersuch form.

It will be observed that the gates may be opened more or less, according to the volume of Water which it is desired to admit for action upon the Wheel.

In order to lock the shaft K against accidental rotation Ihave provided it with agcar or notched wheel K, into which is adapted to drop a pawl L', carried by a stud M', secured to the case A.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*

In a Water-Wheel, the combination, with an inclosing; case having au inlet-opening, drafttubes extending from said case and having shaft-bearings, and a wheel of extreme width mounted to discharge into said tubes, of stationary side plates iixed to the inner ends of said tubes, independent rings having gearsegments and rotatably mounted on said side plates, respectively, gates pivotally supported by said stationary side plates and of extreme Width corresponding with said wheel and operatively connected at each end with the corresponding ring, pinions meshing.,r With their respective ring-segrnents, and a rotatable cross-shaft for said pinions and operated from outside of the case to cause both rings to act in unison and simultaneously on said gates at both ends thereof, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS M. BooKWAL'rER.

W'itnesses:

OLIVERl-l. MILLER, II. M. PLAISTED. 

